Plumeria is a tropical plant. It grows rapidly, producing flowered and fragrant masses between March and October. It is a small tree that reaches 1 meter in height when it reaches full maturity. Although it does not tolerate harsh winter temperatures, plumeria can be planted in a pot and brought indoors when the weather becomes harsh. By choosing the right location, making sure not to wet it too much and taking care of it according to the seasons, the plant can grow strong and beautiful.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Choosing the Environment and Materials
Step 1. Choose a warm place
This plant needs minimum temperatures between 18 and 27 ° C, but does not survive below 13 ° C. Any part of the plumeria that is exposed to cold temperatures dies; for this, it is important to choose a position that suits your needs. If the temperature in your region occasionally or regularly drops below 13 ° C, you shouldn't plant plumeria in the garden, but place it in a pot that you can take indoors when temperatures start to drop.
- Despite having very strict climate requirements, it is actually a flexible plant and can produce flowers both outdoors and indoors.
- It can survive very high temperatures, even over 38 ° C.
Step 2. Ensure adequate exposure to sunlight
This plant grows best in full sun, with at least 6 hours of light per day. Find a place that gets a lot of sun; if you decide to keep it indoors, know that it thrives well in greenhouses or near a well-lit window.
Step 3. Provide adequate space outside
If you decide to grow it outside the home, you can put it in a pot or directly in the garden; in the latter case, keep in mind that it must be planted at least 3-6 meters from any other plant, so that the roots have adequate space to grow. You can bury the root ball in a hole that has the same depth, but a double or triple width; choose a location with well-draining soil and where water does not stagnate after rain.
Avoid a place where it is exposed to the heat radiated by brick or concrete walls
Step 4. Use black containers
It can be useful to grow plumeria in a pot, so you can move it indoors when it's cold or if you decide to keep it indoors all year round. If you opt for this solution, check that the pot has one or more holes in the bottom to allow the water to drain, as the plant does not grow well with soggy roots. Get a pot with a minimum capacity of 4 liters, so that it has enough space to grow; it is better to choose a black colored container instead of clay ones, due to the porous nature of the latter which causes the roots to stick to the walls and the moisture disperses too quickly.
- You can find black pots at garden stores.
- Plastic containers are also another great option, because they are not porous like clay.
Step 5. Use coarse dirt
Since one of the greatest dangers of plumeria is excess water, you need to find a type of soil that drains quickly, such as the one specific to cacti; if it is too thick or fine, it holds a lot of water. The coarse one, on the other hand, is perfect because it guarantees adequate drainage; choose one with a slightly acidic pH, between 6 and 6, 7. To make sure it drains properly, you can mix it with a little perlite or sand; both of these materials are available in nurseries or garden centers.
If you have decided to plant plumeria outdoors, check that the soil is draining properly by mixing it with organic material, such as manure or peat
Step 6. Purchase an already planted plumeria
If you don't want to bury it yourself, you can get a slightly grown one. Purchase a healthy specimen at the local nursery; make sure it is compact, uniform and bright in color, with a sturdy, straight trunk. Also check that the branches are evenly spaced; avoid plumerie with withered leaves or faded colors.
Part 2 of 3: Planting the Plumeria
Step 1. Get the seeds or cuttings
To grow this plant you need seeds or cuttings; unfortunately, they are not readily available commercially and can be quite difficult to obtain. You should therefore ask someone who is already growing this plant; perhaps a neighbor or relative has one and may be willing to share it with you. You can harvest the seeds or cuttings in the spring or fall to allow the plant to propagate.
However, you can also get them from online sites, such as Amazon, although in this case you may not have any guarantees about the quality, as both the seeds and the cuttings lose their vitality within a few months
Step 2. Germinate the seeds
To do this, you need to wrap them in a damp sheet of kitchen paper for a whole day to absorb moisture. when they appear slightly swollen, they are ready to be buried. This technique also allows roots to develop more quickly; be sure to keep them in a warm environment while germinating.
Step 3. Plant the seeds or cuttings
Fill a pot with soil and place the seeds about 5 mm deep, while the cuttings should be buried at 5 cm; firmly compacts the ground all around to stabilize them. If you have opted for seeds, make sure that the swollen part is on the bottom, while the threadlike part is out of the ground; plant only one seed or cutting per pot.
Initially, you can decide to plant them in a small pot (about half a liter) and transfer them to a larger one (about 10 liters) when the seeds start to grow, after about a week or a month. These pots are also known as planting trays and can be useful for plants that have just started germinating
Step 4. Wait to water the cuttings
You don't have to wet them as soon as you've buried them; in this phase they are very delicate and the root system develops with a minimum amount of water. During the first three weeks you just have to make sure they have enough light and heat, only then can you gradually start adding water; start with 120ml for each plant per week. If, on the other hand, you have chosen to grow ready-made seedlings, start watering them right away, because there is no reason to wait.
- You should notice that the plant begins to develop leaves within a couple of months; this means that you have watered it regularly every week.
- When the leaves reach the length of about 12 cm, the plant is well rooted and at this point you can water it abundantly.
Step 5. Transfer the young seedlings
When they reach a height of 7-8 cm, you can place them in larger pots; just remove them from the soil and bury them in a container full of potting mix with a minimum capacity of 4 liters. Just cover the roots with earth and compact it well in the new pot.
If possible, choose a plastic or black pot
Part 3 of 3: Caring for Plumeria
Step 1. Watering varies according to the season
During the flowering period, from March / April to November / December, this plant needs a lot of water, at least once a week. Instead, you must stop watering when the leaves begin to fall; do not wet it at all when it is dormant or starting to develop its first roots. It is very dangerous to soak it too much; to make sure you don't overdo the water, you need to let the soil dry completely between irrigations.
Add enough water to moisten the soil, without forming a puddle; however, the quantity depends a lot on the size of the plant
Step 2. Use a fertilizer rich in phosphorus
During the flowering season you need to add the fertilizer twice a month, preferably a 10-30-10 product (the central value corresponds to phosphorus); dilute 1-2 teaspoons in 4 liters of water and pour enough to moisten the soil.
The plumeria does not need to be fertilized and does not need care in the dormant season, ie in the winter months
Step 3. Potala if needed
There is no need to cut it often, but if the branches start to get too long, you can proceed in late winter. It is sufficient to prune them for 1/3 of their length; this procedure improves the health of the plant and helps it to grow better.
Step 4. Check for insect infestation
Some parasites, such as mites, flies or aphids, can be harmful; if you see them on plumeria, you need to apply horticultural oil or an insecticide, such as malatione, to the leaves. If you want to effectively combat the infestation, it is likely that you will need to carry out more than one treatment; For best results, be sure to follow the directions on the package.
Step 5. Bring the plumeria indoors during the winter months
If you planted it in a pot, move it indoors in the winter. You can put it in the garage or in the basement, as long as the temperature does not drop below 13 ° C; it must remain in a dry and warm place during the dormant season.
It can survive without sunlight all winter, but will thrive best the following year if it remains exposed to light even during the cold season; for this purpose, you can use a fluorescent light bulb if the garage or basement has no windows
Step 6. Take some cuttings or collect seeds for propagation
In spring or autumn you can cut some branches about 30 or 60 cm long and let them rest for at least two weeks before planting them; alternatively, you can harvest the seeds when the pods open. Make sure you keep them dry until they are ready to be buried; the dry seeds last about three months.
Step 7. Repot the plumeria when the roots have filled the pot space
If she has developed too much, it is time to move her to a larger pot. For example, if the current one has a capacity of 4 liters, you have to move the plant to a 10-liter one; remember that it can only grow if the roots have enough space to develop.
